The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-07-06
much as that, and got it, only few days

much as that, and got it, only a few days
ago."
"Yes, but-well, you we're young your
self once, uncle, and you know that n
Young fellow cant have any fun in q big
city like tits without money"
81 must speak plainly 10 you. Walter.
| Your conduct has panied me more than
can tell. You have kept such late hours
| that my duty to you compelled me TO have
you watched; and the report brought TO me,
about the places you have frequented and
the company YOU have kept, has shocked
and distressed me. My dear nephew, for
your own sake for the sake of your par
en;s-for my sake-you must stop this at
once.
1T seems to me you are making great
| deal out of little, uncle. I'm no worse
| than other fellows. We only amuse our
selves in our own way, and don't harm any
one"
us it possible, Walter, that you have be-
come so hardened as this talk would show?
And here-see this letter. You tod me
that this was your college vacations; but
here the president informs me that you
have been suspended for gross misconduct" y
Walter laughed loudly. Now, really,
uncle, did not mean you should know
that; but after all, what of it? Most of the
boys have these little larks, and they are
none the worse of 1t.
You don't seem TO appreciate the evil
you have done. Not only have you dis
graced yourself, but you have lied about it
to me-"
90, don't feel so bad about it, Uncle
Abel Just let me have the fifty, and II
straighten up and be as good as you want
me to. Only few wild oats, you know"
Misguided boy! l would do anything TO
save you from your evil courses; but ! will
not furnish you the means to follow them.
And | warn you
Then " won't give me the money!"
Il Will glve.you twenty times the amount
to benefit you; but l will not"
80 hang your moralizing!"
The nephew rushed abruptly away
through the outer office. Involuntary /
looked up as he passed me, and received
glance such n look! Hate and rage
had transformed his face into the likeness
of a demon. In a moment MIR. Symington
came out and TOOK several turns across the
room.
Lambert" he said land l thought his
voice trembed q little 81 have seen that
you are not the kind of boy that needs con-
tinual approval 10 stimulate him to do his
du Y; and that discovery has gratified me as
much as to know that You are faithful and
industrious. My boy, You know | am not
much given to open praise; but this once,
at least, will speak of you and 10 you as
you deserve. am more than pleased with
you: / am proud Of you. You have done
exceedingly well.
His censnre could not have brought the
tears to my eyes as quickly as did these un-
expected words | tried TO thank him. but
my voice was choked, and l could only
look what / felt.
The clock struck six, and we went to-
gether into the rear office TO close the
great safe For several weeks past he had
daily given me the combination with which
he closed and opened it, explaining that III
case of accident to him 1t would be con-
yenient, perhaps necessary, for me to have
it. His habit was to whisper the new com
bination to me; l would whisper it over to
him TO insure accuracy, and then / would
watch the indicator on the safe door while
he was turning the knob. All this was
done on this evening, as usual. When
fou1 hours later | went TO bed, various
emotions kept me awake till midnight.
Surprise at the discovery of Walters de-
pravity was mingled with sympathy for his
uncle, but deep satisfaction on account of
the commentator l had received was up
permost in ny thoughts.
The sleep that mt last came was rudely
broken. glare of light full in my eyes
awakened me. As l sat upright in bed
pistol was held close to my forehead, and
an unknown voice said:
"Silence-not cry-or you're dead
boy"
And then, after an interval just
long enough to allow me to comprehend
the whole dreadful meaning Of the scene,
Get up and come below, without noise.
NOu We GOT n oman tha safe for
The instant that was permitted me TO
look showed me two masked men standing
Dy my bed, one holding dark lantern, tue
other the pistol. Like flash the purpose
of their visit, and its consequences, We're
before me. Quite often the safe contained
considerable amounts of money: not often
as much as ten thousand dollars, which |
knew Mr.. Svmington had placed there
about four o'clock of the previous after
noon, having been too late for the bank.
And now it was through me hat he was to
be despoiled of this great sum; / was to be
the agent, though the unwilling one. in the
plumber OF him whom / loved better than
all else on earth My resolution was taken
on the instant. / would seem to comply,
and gain time for escape. Let me not be
misunderstood l certainly had not cour-
age or GOODNESS beyond the average of boys
of seventeen, and the cold muzzle of the
pistol at my head made me shudder all
over. But my heart was filled with devo-
ton to my patron; and seeming TO feel his
kind hand on my shoulder, think l would
have died before opening the safe for those
men.
Don't hurt me, / said, putting my feet
on the floor. III show YOU.
well, now, if you amt sensible young
/ Teller" said the man with the pistol. Fol
low the chap with the light.
The stairs were in the corner near the
head of the bed. and few PAGES brought
US to them. l did not know whether the
man behind me was still holding the pistol
to my head; l hoped that my words and
manner had thrown him off his guard. As
the man in front held up his lantern to
show us the way | struck il from his hand
with sudden blow. 1t rolled down the
stairway, and we were in darkness. Dart
ing past the ruffian behind me, my nipht-
dress brushing him, gained the lumber
room. my knowledge of its exact location
enabling me to lay my hand quickly
upon the latch. l heard curse and
the snap of the pistol; the cartridge m ssed
fire. With frantic haste / slammed
the door between me and the burglars, and
shot the bolt. Then ] sank to the floor.
weak and trembling. But | knew that
was safe | could Chamber over the old fur
niture, get TO the front windows, break out